Civic panel rejects pvt helipads proposals

Corporate honchos in Mumbai will have to wait longer for taking chopper rides from the rooftops of their homes to work. The civic improvements committee, on Wednesday, rejected a proposal to allow construction of private helipads on rooftops of buildings in city.

The state had proposed helipads for private buildings and had asked the civic body for its opinion on whether they should be allowed.

Citing environmental and security concerns, among other reasons, the committee unanimously rejected the proposal to allow private helipads. Corporators alleged that rules were being made and existing ones twisted only for the benefit of a few.

Announcing the decision to reject the proposal, committee chairman Bhalchandra Shirsat said, "Private rooftop helipads have a series of issues ranging from environmental to security concerns, which make it undesirable and unfeasible for a city like ours. Also, to favour a handful of rich industrialists, taking such risks is not acceptable."

Earlier, in an interview with HT, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh had said that there was no question of the ministry allowing private helipads, and subsequently, even the state environment department had taken a similar decision.